Spa worker accused of sexual battery inside Opry Mills

A man is facing charges after a woman says she was sexually assaulted at a spa inside Opry Mills Mall.

The victim said the assault happened while she was getting a massage on Tuesday at O'Chi Reflexology.

Wei Dong Wang, 45, of San Gabriel, CA, faces sexual battery charges after a woman said he pressed his forehead against her crotch, kissed the back of her neck and rubbed her breasts.

The woman said she screamed, ran out of the room and went to the spa's front desk. The victim asked the person at the desk to call police, but she said they would not.

The woman said she had to go to another store to have them call mall security and police.

"We want to hear from a person who feels uncomfortable when they visit one of these places to determine if it is a criminal matter," said Metro police spokesman Don Aaron.

When officers arrived, Wang was taken into custody. He has no prior arrest record in Davidson County.

In a statement, Opry Mills General Manager Jad Murphy said:

"We have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior and are cooperating as this isolated incident is being investigated. Although we do not manage the daily operations of individual businesses, we are doing what is necessary to ensure that this does not happen again."

This alleged incident is at least the third attack at three different spas in our area since December 2012.

A massage therapist at Aqua Footcare and Massage Center at Stone's River Mall in Murfreesboro recently lost his license after he was accused by two different women of sexual abuse. A teenage girl said he touched her inappropriately, and another client accused the therapist of rape.

Earlier this month, there was yet another reported sexual assault, this time at Truu Bluu Massage Parlor in Murfreesboro. The victim stated she was attacked after she redeemed a Groupon certificate.

Police say the best way to protect yourself is to set boundaries and expectations when you go to the salon.

"If there is a language barrier between the customer and the service provider, find someone at the business who is fluently bilingual to explain to the person providing the service what is expected," Aaron said.

The state health department requires a special license in Tennessee to practice massage therapy, and when a therapist applies for or renew their license, they are required to provide information about any past criminal convictions.

If you would like to look into a spa before you visit, check the state health department's website.

As for the latest alleged assault, Metro police say way Wang does not have a criminal history in Davidson County.